Macbeth Group

Question:

hiatus
hiatus
Student

In Act III, Macbeth says "O full of scorpions is my mind... thou knowst that Banquo and Fleance lives." What does this mean?

i dont get what he means by his mind is full of scorpions

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Posted by hiatus on Tuesday March 24, 2009 at 6:19 PM and tagged with banquo, fleance, macbeth, scorpions, shakespeare.

Answers:

  1. sesmith5
    sesmith5 Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    Macbeth has been told by the witches that Banquo's line will be on the throne in Scotland.  Macbeth feels that if he kills Banquo and Fleance, Banquo's son, he will thwart this prophesy.  Thus, the knowledge that Banquo and Fleance still live causes Macbeth irritation and pain much like the sting of a scorpion. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth

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    Posted by sesmith5 on Tuesday March 24, 2009 at 7:19 PM